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by
Mike Lewis
/ Florida Panthers

Vincent Trocheck (Saginaw Spirit)

To say Vincent Trocheck has been the Saginaw Spirit’s go-to-guy this season is an understatement.

Trocheck has been on fire since the season started. The 19 year-old, Pittsburgh native has been having a very big season and it’s only November. With 24 games played this season for the Saginaw Spirit, Trocheck has scored 35 points (15-20-35). That has him tied for seventh in scoring among all scorers in the Ontario Hockey League.

Being near the top of the league in points isn’t the only big thing that has happened to Trocheck this season. The Saginaw center was named Captain at the start of the 2012-13 campaign and became the sixth Saginaw player in franchise history to hit the 200 point marker. He solidified his name in Saginaw’s record books with an assist on Oct. 8 against Erie.

“Vinny is off to a strong start”, said Panthers Director of Scouting Scott Luce. “He currently sits in the Top 10 in OHL scoring and is an offensive threat whenever he is on the ice.

“He continues to develop his three zone play and his shift to shift consistency. He is relied upon to produce offense on a team that is trying hard to move up in the standings.”

A third round selection (64th overall) by the Panthers in the 2011 NHL Draft, Trocheck has been making a statement in his fourth season with the Spirit. He has already reached one milestone and has the chance to set another this season. With 140 assists in his time with Saginaw, he just passed the former franchise record of 134. He sits currently at 220 points, 27 points below the Saginaw all-time scoring mark of 247. Judging by his previous two seasons where he had a 62-point year, followed by an 85-point campaign, Trocheck could very well become the team’s new all-time points leader soon.

Most likely in the final junior campaign of his career, Trocheck will look to turn pro and make an impact with the Panthers as soon as possible.

“Like all of our prospects, Vinny will have to spend time in the minors to further his development before he gets a shot at the NHL,” said Luce. “How he does there will impact his arrival in the NHL.

“Vinny brings a high level of compete coupled with offense. He is strong in the face-off circle and can if needed, play a solid two way game. He will need time to adjust to the Pro pace and strength of opposing players.”

Although Saginaw is not at the top of the standings in the OHL, Trocheck is making the most of his opportunities. As team captain, he is setting a strong example for the younger players to follow and is proving to everyone he wants to play with the best in the world at the NHL level.